Safety razor



De@ 5, 1939- I R. E. THOMPSON Ei- AL 2,182,649

SAFETY RAZOR Filed July 3l, 1937 2 Shee'cs-Shee'cl 1 15g-1- zgz. 15:33.

@orney Dec. 5, 1939. R. E. THOMPSON ET AL SAFETY RAZOR Filed July 51, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 l www w www 0. vwm WTMJ If.; w HH. n .man

Patented Dec. 5, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT A OFFICE SAFETY RAZOR Application July 31, 1937, Serial No. 156,708

16 Claims.

This invention relates to safety razors and has for its primary object the development of a combined safety razor and blade of simplified construction and in which the blade is automatically located and held to accurate shaving position upon closing movement of the razor. In its preferred form the razor comprises primarily two portions or halves pivoted together and movable l about the pivot to open and closed positions. In the open position the razor permits the free insertion and removal of a blade, and parts carried by and preferably integral with the pivoted portions serve to locate and securely hold the blade in proper position for shaving. The two 1I" parts may be, and preferably are, of identical construction whereby the same can be manufactured with great economy. The invention is particularly applicable to, though not necessarily limited to, a double edged razor of the "Gil1ette type and for convenience we herein disclose the invention in such form.

'Ihe pivoted portions of the razor are adapted to receive and support the blade, and carried by one or both of such portions are arms arranged 26.to engage against the inner face of the blade and press it securely against said portions when the razor is closed. These arms are so arranged that when they are in open position they are in such substantially parallel alignment that the blade, which is apertured therefor, may be placed thereover and removed therefrom. Such construction is economical to produce, provides for convenient insertion 'and removal of blades and serves automatically to locate and hold the blade ,securely and accurately for shaving.

-The blade receiving and securing arms may be formed in a single group arranged to pass through a slot in the blade or may be arranged inspaced relation to pass through spaced apertures in the blade. Furthermore, in accordance with another feature of the invention, the blade may have other apertures therethrough and the arms can be provided with lugs for engaging Within these apertures to` automatically locate the blade in accurate shaving position upon closing movement of the razor. The razor may be of the'single or double edge type and such apertures and arms may be provided and so located as to perform the function resulting from the inlivention. In the preferred form of the invention, employing a double edged blade, the blade is apertured on both sides of its medial line and all the arms are provided with V-shaped lugs at their free ends to engage within these apertures 55,'and automatically locate the blade transversely v of die-formed sheet metal for economical manuas therazor is closed, it being understood that the shaving exposure of the sharp edge is determined by such location of the blade. The production of an improved razor and blade combination embodying these improvements com- 5 prises another object of the invention.

These and other features of the invention are best understood and appreciated from the following description of preferred embodiments thereof, selected for purposes of illustration and shown 10 in the accompanying drawings in which,

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a safety razor embodying one form of our invention,

Fig. 2 is an edge elevation thereof,

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary View of the razor in 15` longitudinal section taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 1,

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 4 4 of Fig. 3,

Fig. 5 is ahandle endelevation of the razor,

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal sectional View of the 20r razor in open position,

Fig. 7 is a head end elevation, partially broken away,

Fig. 8 is a detailed view showing one form of pivot,

Fig. 9 is a perspective View of a blade for the razor,

Fig. 10 is a side elevation of a modified form "of the invention,

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary edge View thereof, 3'0" Fig. 12 is a fragmentary view of the razor in longitudinal section taken on the line I2|2 of Fig. 10,

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary view of the razor and y blade in open position, taken on line l3-I3 of 35 Fig. 14,

Fig. 14 is a sectional view taken on line Ill-M; of Fig. 13,

Fig. 15 is a head end elevation of the razor and blade', y 40 Fig. 16 is an enlarged detailed view showing the action of one of the blade locating lugs,

Fig. 17 is a perspective view of the blade cooperating with this form of the invention. ,t

Our invention is particularly applicable to a 45' razor of the double edged Gillette type and in the accompanying drawings we have illustrated two forms thereof. The form shown in Figs. 1-9 will rst be described` l This razor primarily comprises two pieces i0 and l l pivoted together at I2. As illustrated, the two pieces l0 and Il are of like construction and each comprises a handle portion I4 and a blade holding portion I5, the pieces' being preferably facture. The two head portions are pivoted together adjacent to their ends and intermediate of such ends each such portion is cut away to provide a plurality of relatively spaced lingers i6, the fingers being bent inwardly as illustrated in Figs. 3 and 6. When the two pieces are pivoted together the fingers thereof are in alternate arrangement between the two pivots and are 1ocated inwardly of the head.

Each head portion I5 is U-shaped and this shape is supported by connecting straps i8 integral with and bent downwardly from the outer leg of the U and in overlapping Contact at i9 with the inner leg. The pivots may be formed by extending pins l2 through eyes 28 turned up integral with the head portions or each pivot pin may be constructed as an integral part 22 of one head as illustrated in Fig` 8. Each head portion l5 is slotted at 24 adjacent to the apex of the U and guard teeth 25 are formed along one edge thereof at this slot.

The blade 26 is of the Gillette type, having opposed sharpened edges 28 and slotted in its central portion at 3Q. When the two parts of the razor are opened from the closed position of Figs. 2 and 3, the fingers l5 pivot toward each slot 39.

other and, when the parts are open nearly to the position of Fig. 6 the fingers are substantially in parallel alignment and adapted to receive the blade therecver, the lingers passing through the The length cf this slot is substantially the length of the combined ngers, thereby locating the blade longitudinally. When the parts are in the open position of Fig. 6, the inclined ,portions of the fingers engage the two longitudinal edges 32 of the slot 3U, and thus locate the '34 at the free ends of the handles.

blade transversely. As the parts are brought to the fully closed position," the free end portions of the fingers engage the inner face of the blade 4.and fiex it into rm contact with the opposing surfaces of the head portions I5, to the position 1secured in shaving position merely by the closing acton of the two parts. When the portions are in fully opened position of Fig. 6 the blade is held in freely exposed position on the razor in which position it can be rinsed without interference.

While the razor may be held in the closed position by any suitable means, we have herein illustrated a novel latch integral with the handle parts for that purpose. This latch comprises two laterally extending and cooperating detents The inner edges of thesedetents are so arranged (Fig. 5) that opening of the razor crowds the handles apart, the result being that the handles and detents normally remain locked in the closed posi- `"tion of Fig. 5.

Two shoulders 36 are provided respectively on the two handle pieces and in such arrangement that pressure brought thereagainst in the opposing directions indicated by the arrows in Fig. 2 forces the handle sections and their detents 'with the nger-s of the right hand.

The razor illustrated in Figs. 10-17 comprises two pieces 48 and 4| pivoted together at 42. These two pieces are of like construction and each comprises a handle portion 44 and a blade holding head portion 45. Each head portion 45 is U-shaped and this shape is supported by connecting straps 46 integral with and bent downwardly from the outer leg of the U and into overlaping contact with the inner leg at 38. Each portion 45 is also slotted at 5B adjacent to the apex of the U and guard teeth 52 are formed along one edge of each head portion on this slot.

Ihe outer leg of each portion 45 comprises a blade supporting bar 54, and extending beyond the free edge 55 of each bar are three arms 56, the arms being provided with flat surfaces 51 all facing one end of the bar. The intermediate portion of each arm is thickened and perforated to receive the pivot pin 42 which connects the two pieces, the surfaces 51 facing each other in cooperating relation when the two bars are assembled. When the two parts are brought substantially to the point of Fig. 14, the arms 56 cooperate to form three studs for receiving the blade.

The purpose of our invention herein is not only to provide a relatively` simple two piecev razor, but furthermore, to provide a combined razor and blade wherein the blade will be accurately positioned and firmly supported in the razor merely by the closing action of the razor. We accomplish this object by so forming the blade and razor that the latter automatically cooperates with the former to perform these functions when the razor is brought from the open to the closed position.

The blade Si) is of the Gillette type, having opposed sharp edges 62 and perforated in its central portion at S4 to receive the studs provided by the arms 56 when the razor parts are in the position of Fig. 14. The arms are also provided with shoulders 65 limiting outward movement-on the studs kas is also illustrated in Fig. 14. When the razor is moved in `closing direction from the open position of Fig. 14 the arms move downwardly toward the inner face of the blade while the bars 54 move upwardly toward the outer face of the blade.

it is desirable to locate the blade accurately in the transverse direction to give proper shaving exposure of its sharpened edges when the razor is fully closed, and to this end we provide locating lugs 68 on the free ends of the arms and cooperating apertures 'lil in the blade. The lugs are preferably V -shaped to engage the edges of the apertures and the bars 54 are recessed at 12 to provide clearance for the lugs. It will now be apparent that as the razor is brought to the closed position, the lugs enter the apertures 10 and thereby automatically locate the blade exactly to the transverse position predetermined by the location of the lugs and apertures. Further-l more, when the razor is fully closed, the bladeis held flexed between the arms and the inner supporting surface provi-ded by the bars 54.`

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

l. A safety razor comprising two cooperating handle portions anda blade holding head, the head comprising two portions pivoted together on a common axis and respectively integral with the two handle portions, each head portion having a surface forengaging the outer face of a blade and one head` portion having means integral head comprising two portions pivoted directly "f' handle when the razor is in closed position, and

to each other and respectively integral with the two handle portions, the axis of said pivot extending longitudinally of the head and passing substantially through the longitudinal axis of the latch means for holding the razor closed.

3. A safety razor comprising two cooperating handle portions and a blade holdinghead,thehead comprising two portions pivoted together on a common axis and respectivelyintegralwith the two handle portions, the head portions having means integral therewith and extending beyond the pivot axis for engaging the inner face of a blade supported at its outer face by both portions of the head when the razor is closed.

4. A safety razor of the Gillette type comprising two cooperating handle portions and a blade holding head, the head having guard means along each lateral edge and comprising two portions pivoted directly to each other and respectively integral with the two handle portions, means carried by one head portion for engaging the inner face of a .double-edged blade supported at its outer face by both portions of the head when the razor is closed and having sharpened edges extending along the guard means, and latch means for holding the razor closed.

5. A safety razor of the Gillette type comprising two cooperating handle portions and a blade holding head, the head having guard means along each lateral edge and comprising two portions pivoted together on a common axis and respectively integral with the two handle portions, alternately arranged teeth in side to side relation integral with the head portions and extending beyond the pivot axis for engaging the inner face of a double-edged blade supported at its outer face by both portions of the head when the razor is closed and having sharpened edges extending along the guard means, and latch means for holding the razor closed.

6. A safety razor comprising a blade holding head and a pair of handle portions attached to said head and independently movable into engagement with each other to provide a handle, and latch means for holding the handle portions in engagement, said means comprising a laterally extending detent on the free end of each portion arranged to engage in a recess in the other portion, the inner edges of the detents engaging with each and shaped to crowd the handle sections laterally outward in opposite directions when the sections are opened from the closed position.

7. The razor defined in claim 6, plus shoulders on the two handle portions so arranged that pressure brought there against forces the portions from the closed position to the open position.

8. A safety razor comprising two halves pivoted directly to each other, said halves being of like shape and construction and providing a blade holding head adjacent to the pivot, means carried by one of the halves and cooperating with the other half to grip a blade therebetween and hold it in shaving position at said head when the razor is closed, the halves being pivotal to an open position permitting the insertion and removal of a blade, and means for securing the halves in closed position.

9. In combination, a safety razor comprising a blade holding head portion provided with a guard for the sharp edge of a blade, a blade mounted on such portion and having an aperture therethrough located a predetermined distance from its sharp edge, a second portion pivoted to the rst portion and movable about the pivot to an open position permitting the insertion and removal of the blade, and means carriedl by the second portion and movable therewith intothe aperture when moving the portions to closed position whereby to locate and hold the blade with its sharp edge in predetermined transverse position relative to the guard.

10. The combination dened in claim 9 wherein the blade is provided with a plurality of apertures spaced longitudinally of the blade and wherein said means comprises a plurality of projections carried by saidsecond portion and movable therewith into the apertures to locate and hold the blade positioned in transverse direction relative to the guard.

11. In combination, a safety razor comprising two portions pivoted directly to each other and each having a guard for the sharp edge of a blade, a double edged blade mounted on the portions with a sharp edge adjacent to each guard and having a plurality of apertures therethrough located predetermined distances from the two sharp edges, and projection carried by one portion for engaging within one of said apertures when moving the portions to closed position whereby to locate and hold the blade with one sharp edge in predetermined position relative to its guard.

l2. In combination, a safety razor comprising two portions pivoted to each other along a medial line and each having a blade supporting surface on one side of the pivot, a double edged and apertured blade mounted on said portions, arms projecting from both portions and through the blade on the other side of the pivot and lugs on certain of the arms engageable withinthe blade apertures when moving the portions to closed position thereby locating the blade transversely.

13. In combination, a safety razor comprising two portions pivoted to each other along a medial line and each having a blade supporting surface on one side of the pivot, a double edged blade mounted on said portions, and a plurality of pairs of arms projecting from the portions and through the blade at the other sides of the pivot and engaging the inner face of the blade and gripping it between the arms and the blade supporting surfaces.

14. In combination, a safety razor comprising two portions pivoted to each other along a medial line and each having a blade supporting surface on one side of the pivot, a double edged and apertured blade mounted on said portions, and a plurality of pairs of arms projecting from the portions and through the blade at the other sides of the pivot and having lugs on their free ends engageable within the blade apertures to locate the blade transversely.

15. In combination, a safety razor comprising two portions each having a plurality of arms projecting from one edge thereof, means pivoting the portions together at said arms, a blade apertured to receive the arms therethrough when the razor is in open position with the arms on the two portions substantially in parallel alignment, the blade having other apertures thererazor is in open position and the arms of the two portions are substantially in parallel alignment, the blade having other apertures therethrough at opposite sides of the medial line, and lugs carried by said arms for engaging in said other apertures to locate the blade transverselyand hold it in shaving position when the razor is closed.

RALPH E. THOMPSON. ANGUS A. MARTIN. 

